[Here is the gallery from Swap 1:]

We had a great time in the Gypsy Swap and there were people asking about a Round 2, even before Round 1 sign-ups ended! So in the next round, I was thinking of starting sign-ups the second week of May, and having send outs be at the beginning of July.

Here is the gallery from Swap 1:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=342446.30

If you look into the the Banjara of Rajasthan, India- their clothing is often made from a multitude of different cloth pieces. Many examples of their skirts that I have seen for sale or in photographs and video are tiered and made from different colors of bright fabric accented with shisha mirrors and a eclectic collection of trims.

Here's a random example I found on Photobucket: This one is mostly black with trim but I have seen more colorful examples.



You can see the different fabrics used to piece together other clothing here:

I have received from MoniqueRamsey! I had the fortune to be in two swaps at once with the same partner! So we got to send extra large packages to one another.

Here's what she sent me that I figured I could designate belonging to this swap:
Tribal hair thingies for belly dance!




and a veil! Yay!


She was also my partner in the Gypsy swap I organized and made these matching accessories and a belt! More detailed pictures of her work here can be found in the Gypsy Swap Gallery.

[Note:]

I received from MoniqueRamsey! and here are the pictures!  PLEASE excuse my hyper-ness, I just learned how to make chai lattes at home and I've been drinking them all day!!

Note: The reason why there are so many items is that Monique and I were assigned as partners for two swaps, the Faire swap and this one. Since the themes were pretty much one and the same for us we just accessorized the hell out of the Gypsy package to fill the requirements of both swaps! I'm posting pictures on this thread of both packages so you can see how Monique made everything match!!

First off: a totally reversible corset belt with mega tassels!!!



Hair thingies! One can never have enough!: these are 2 incredible cowrie falls, two daisy flower hair sticks with ribbon and bindi bell danglies, and 2 very fluffy yarn falls in my favorite color, PINK! can you tell?




And she made jewelery too! Oh yes...Belly dancer gypsies do love their sparklies...She made a beautiful ribbon and rhinestone choker, a pair of red crystal chandelier earrings and this intricately hand-beaded bracelet!




She also gave me this gorgeous veil! I like how it looks with a tribal costume



She also gave me some cedar sachets for my costume trunk, because humidity is the bane of FL dancers. I've only been able to find those little cedar blocks that don't do crap! She also gave me a baggie of spare parts for my corset belt! Thanks!! All costumes should come with spare parts and coins, I shed at every performance, lol.


And there was much dancing and rejoicing!


Because pink can look bada$$ too

Thanks MoniqueRamsey!!!! *Hugs!!!*

We have an early sender! So here is the gallery, enjoy!

Original Thread: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=338529.0

Blue: Sent
Grey: Received
Orange: Late w/Communication
Green: Sent & Received
Red: PM me immediately
Strike through (xx): Feedback given


Status of Partners:
MadGypsy (Pics) <---> Dreamy_Cat (Pics)
aisy (pics) <---> StrawberryJeli
Saturn (Pics) <---> moniqueramsey (Pics)
craftylikeafox (Pics) <---> KrisCreates (pics)
ScrappySue (pics) <---> little green dragonfly(Pics)

Pictures at last!

Thank you again KMichelle_CraftyFae! These are truly treasures! I had really good sunlight earlier and I wanted some nice pics so you could post these things on craftster (if you haven't already) because they totally rock!

I've been studying Gypsy folklore and magick lately so she made me my very own gypsy doll! So much awesomeness!



She has so much detail...even a tambourine, earrings and a belt with gypsy doo-dads on it! She wears a purple circle skirt, a gauzy peasant blouse, and a real corset complete with grommets! The detail is crazy!

and...
she made me two very beautiful wall hangings

This one is "Ostara Returns" and its going to be hung by my desk for inspiration

And a dancing Ganesha! I love Ganesha! Esp the image of him dancing....yay for happy Elephant gods! I am also acquiring a nice collection of Ganesha-related artwork through these swaps...how cool!!! I'll have to suggest keeping that going when i fill out questionnaires..lol!

I have wonderful sage and rosemary blends to cleanse my house after spring cleaning and to help me focus when i study...I pray the world steps back and gives me time to cleanse! It might be a summer cleaning at this point...aye..

And just because i have a sweet tooth...jelly bellys and a beautiful card that she wrote a letter to me in.


Thanks again Kmichelle_craftyfae! You spoiled me rotten and I really enjoyed being your partner this round!! 

here's a link to it in my blog http://craftyfae.blogspot.com/2010/02/work-in-progress-primary-altar.html

it is far from finished, but for the moment it is functional, even though you can't see that in the pictures since I don't have anything set out on it. i hope to work on it and maybe finish it this weekend along with a few swap items.

I really love that idea! Years ago, when I was just starting out, I had seen one made very similar to yours, only from a cigar box. Infact, I just now did a google search and came upon the old picture I was inspired by---which I promptly copied to my photobucket because how often do you find a picture like that again? And after almost 10 years? 



The picture came from a website that was a gallery of altars. Here's the link:
http://www.sacredsource.com/altars0307.html

[1 Large, 1 Medium and 2 small crafted items.]

The Gypsy Swap!

NEW SENDOUT DATE APRIL 7TH, 2010!!

Gallery Link: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=342446.0

Hi there! Welcome to the gypsy swap! Before you go ahead and send me your questionnaire, there are a few things I'd like to tell you before we begin. This swap requires 1 Large, 1 Medium and 2 small crafted items. Please send only items that relate the theme in some way unless they are "extras" to spoil your partner. If you are outside of the USA, I require a scan or legible photo of your receipt or customs form to prove that you have sent if you do not purchase a tracking number. I encourage all participants to post in this thread or send me a PM at least on a weekly basis. This is to let me and your future partner know that you are still actively participating and haven't run away with a gypsy caravan.  

This swap's theme is the mysterious and often misunderstood world of the gypsies. Your crafts can range from costume pieces and exotic jewelery to treasures that look like they were brought from distant lands. Let your creative mind wander as far as the sand dunes to the East and as long as the Silk Road.

Swap name: Gypsy Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: Saturn
Sign-up date range: Wednesday, Feb. 17th - Monday, March 1st
Date to send item by: Wednesday, April 7th

Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): No

Restricted to people who all live in the same country?
If so, which country? No

Additional Age requirement? No

Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions: Yes
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide:  Yes
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: Yes
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: Yes
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: Yes
- Is at least 18 years old: Yes

Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: Yes
- Has posted at least 15 times: Yes
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: Yes
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps: Yes
- Does not have any negative feedback: Yes
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 16 years old: Yes
- If yes, understands that Delivery Confirmation number is required for this swap: Yes
- If no, understands that a mailing receipt copy is required for this swap: Yes

Details of swap: Just to recap the above: 1 Large, 1 Medium, and 2 small crafted items that relate to the gypsy theme in some way.

Ready to sign up? Well then, step into my tent and pull up a cushion. Make yourself comfortable as you fill this out. Don't mind the camel in the corner, he hasn't spit on anybody since yesterday...

If you want to participate, information to send to organizer:

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:

Name of swap: Gypsy Swap
Craftster username:
Email address:
Your real name:
Mailing address including the country:
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country? (Everyone loves a volunteer!)
Confirm that are at least 16 years old or, if not, that you have moderator approval(YES/NO)
Favorite Colors:
Disliked Colors:
Favorite Materials:
Disliked Materials:
Any Allergies?:
Any Allergy causing stuff in your home?:

Ok, now the fun questions! -->

Would you like a package that focuses on more of a cultural portrayal of gypsies or the more Hollywood/romanticized version of them? Or both?:

Do you take part in or have interests in anything that could be considered gypsy related? (ex. belly dancing, music, fortune telling, fireside cooking, portraying a gypsy at faires or SCA events, etc.):

Are there any particular gypsy cultures that interest you? (ex. Irish Travelers, Ghawazee, Roma, Gypsies from Spain, etc.):

What crafting skills do you have to share with us?:

Anything in particular that you would want?:

Anything you do not want?:

Is there anything that would be offensive to you? (ex. leather products to Vegans):

And finally....Do you have a Wists?:

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.

Also, remember to read the Swap Info Guide to find other rules about participating in a swap.


PARTICIPANTS:
1.MadGypsy
2.Saturn
3.aisy
4.craftylikeafox (1st time swapper!)
5.KrisCreates
6.moniqueramsey
7.ScrappySue
8.little green dragonfly
9.StrawberryJeli
10.Dreamy_Cat

Partners:
MadGypsy <---> Dreamy_Cat
aisy <---> StrawberryJeli
Saturn <---> moniqueramsey
craftylikeafox <---> KrisCreates
ScrappySue <---> little green dragonfly

[Hey there! How about a Gypsy themed swap?]

Hey there! How about a Gypsy themed swap?

Crafted items could be anything ranging from folkloric/belly dancing items to costume pieces, fortune telling things,painted tambourines, veils, jewelry or mysterious items that look like they come from distant lands...

Also, there are nomadic peoples hailing from many different countries and ethnic backgrounds that one could use for inspiration. There are the Irish travelers, the Ghawazee of Egypt, the Banjara of India, The Kuchi, Kutch, and Turkoman of the Middle east and Asia and also the well-known Roma. How interesting would it be to craft gypsy things that hail from your partner's country of heritage? Though it doesn't have to limited to just that idea.

I would allow for a longer crafting period and the average 1 large, 1 medium, and two smalls package requirements.

So what do you think?  

(Img is "Salome" by Mucha)

Ok! Here is the nifty package I have received from Spazgirl!

She sent me a lovely belt pouch to hold my Tarot cards in for the medieval faire I was involved in for the past two weekends. (Which is why this photo is terribly late) It also was the perfect size for my wallet when I went shopping around. Everyone loved it. It's simple yet elegant, and very well made!

I am back in school for another semester and to better focus on my school work I removed my computer from my desk and put it in another room. (You know...cause I was spending all my time on Craftster and Facebook!) So I have an area of focus and study. She made me this cute mini-painting of a Brigid's cross on an itty bitty easel to put on my desk or decorate my altar with. It's currently on my nice organized desk beside my pencil cup.

Finally, She made me this cute little wreath! I am going to hang it on one of our doors, but I may put a jar candle in the center and use it as a center piece for the Valentine's Day dinner I'm cookin' for my hunny.



Thank you Spaz! I hope you enjoyed opening your package as much as I did mine!